Commuters can expect to see more Golden Arrow Bus Service (GABS) electric buses on the road, as the bus company received the first 20 electric buses which will be followed 100 more buses to be delivered over the course of 2025.
COURTESY: GABSIn a statement, the Company said it has also installed 30
charging units, with two dispensers each, the largest of its kind in South
Africa. The charging facility will be expanded to 60 chargers with a total of
120 dispensers during the second half of 2025.
COURTESY: GABSGABS piloted testing two electric buses in 2021.
“This is a full circle moment for Golden Arrow, in 1896 we
were behind the wheel of the first electric tram in South Africa and now, some
129 years later we are first commuter bus company to introduce electric buses into
service at scale,” says Francois Meyer, Golden Arrow Bus Services Chief
Executive Officer.
“Innovation, backed by data and testing, is key to
transforming the South African economy. We believe that this is a key moment
not only for Golden Arrow but for the local transport industry. This is an
opportunity for businesses across the supply chain to diversify their
offerings, embrace sustainable transport solutions and create jobs. This is a
historic moment for our country that we can all be proud of,” he added.
According to Golden Arrow Bus Services Company Engineer,
Gideon Neethling, a key takeaway from Golden Arrow’s electric bus journey has been
the power of partnerships.
“As part of planning for this project, we visited a number
of international electric bus operations and the golden thread behind their
successes were partnerships with business, government and civil society. We have been engaging with a variety of
stakeholders and will be looking to establish further partnerships so that this
project can benefit the transport industry and economy.’’
GABS says 120 buses represent over 10% of Golden Arrow’s
total fleet and the buses will operate across various routes.
According to the bus company, the new buses were given a
resounding thumbs up by the Company’s passenger forums and feedback from
passengers and the public has been overwhelmingly positive thus far.
“As a cornerstone of Cape Town's public transport system,
Golden Arrow Bus Services is leading the way in reducing greenhouse gas
emissions by introducing these electric buses into its fleet. In the public
transport sector, the shift to electric vehicles is critical to achieving
sustainable mobility for commuters and creating economic opportunities and job
creation in various sectors of the province. These vehicles also create
opportunities for entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises in the
electric mobility sector and takes us closer to achieving our long-term vision
to be a net zero emissions, climate resilient and job creating province,” said
Isaac Sileku, Western Cape Minister of Mobility.
Done By: Mitchum George
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